When tax time rolls around, even the staunchest US citizens can begin to feel overwhelmed and anxious about filing their returns.

Having your return prepared by a licensed CPA is a smart choice for many reasons, one of which is the assurance that you’ll have more peace of mind between January and April.  Check out 10 more reasons to visit our trained tax professionals today.

10 Reasons to See a CPA

Personal Relationship with an Expert

The #1 reason that people bring their tax documents to a CPA is so that they can ask questions and get answers explained in a way they understand.  When you work with a CPA, not only is there a trained professional in your corner who is proactive about making sure your return is prepared correctly and thoroughly, but that person has a face, a voice, and an investment in your return — just like you do!

Tax Laws Change Constantly

Tax laws change every year, and CPAs remain up-to-date on the news ins-and-outs of the code.  In Louisiana, CPAs must accumulate 40 hours of continuing education every year in order to remain certified.    You can rest assured that even though tax preparation is constantly evolving, your CPA is ahead of the game.

Your Time is Valuable

Just as you could paint your own house or raise all of the animals and vegetables you need to survive, most people find it saves time and money to leave those necessary jobs to the professionals who are trained to do them.  Tax preparation follows the same principle.  By having your taxes prepared by an experienced CPA, you can save yourself hours of time and energy.  You can then expend those hours on doing the things that you love.

Your Taxes are as Unique as You Are

Even the most expensive tax-filing software is programmed to handle a finite number of scenarios.  When you visit a real, live person at a CPA firm, that CPA can make sure that your tax preparation is tailored to your exact needs, answer all of your unique questions, and ensure that your experience is anything but one-size-fits all.

You are Self-Employed or Have Multiple Sources of Income

Becoming self-employed and/or diversifying your income stream can make your life easier in some ways, but at tax time you might find yourself in over your head.  The number of deadlines, variables, and options on your personal return will have increased greatly.  Going to a CPA for help with your return will save you a great deal of time and stress, and possibly money as well.

Maximize Your Deductions

Everyone knows that mortgage interest is deductible from your taxes, but what about student loan interest?  Did you know that moving expenses and home office purchases are deductible as well?  Your CPA does!  After a chat about your financial and employment history, a good CPA will set to work making sure that no stone goes unturned when deducting from your tax filing.

File On Time, Every Time

A CPA’s entire work year is based around April 15th.  Forget racing to the post-office or cancelling plans to make sure you’re at the computer in time to file.  A CPA will prepare your return without any last-minute stress, and if unforeseen circumstances do delay filing, a CPA will take care of procuring an extension.

Tax-Loss Harvesting

If you need tax advice on minimizing investment losses when adjusting, or you want to use capital losses to offset capital gains during a tax year, a CPA with investment experience (like those at Gregory N. Marcantel, CPA) can help you to create a net negative loss for your overall portfolio performance.

Help in the Event of an Audit

Few things strike fear into the hearts of Americans like an IRS audit.  If you hired a CPA to prepare your return, in the event of an audit you are not alone.  Your CPA has a vested interest in your case, and will bring all of his or her tax knowledge to your side in the event that your number comes up.

Advice for the Future

The CPAs at Gregory N. Marcantel, CPA have years of experience preparing returns, and that experience can help you not only this year, but into the future as well.  If you want sound advice on how to reduce your tax bill in the years to come, how much to have withheld from your new job, or ways to ensure that you keep as much as possible of your future earnings, a CPA is the best person to ask.

To ensure compliance with U.S. Treasury Regulations governing tax practice, we inform you that any U.S. federal tax advice contained in this communication, including any appendices, is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (1) avoiding any penalties under U. S. federal tax law, or (2) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.